Drivers of large vehicles are the latest to feel the wrath of the anti-texting movement

Driving is a privilege that most
Americans take for granted. We drive to work, we drive to see family,
and we run errands on the weekend to Home Depot or fend off soccer
moms in their minivans at Target. However, technology continues to
invade not only our lives, but also our vehicles, which is making the
normally mundane act of driving more challenging.

From GPS units to cell phones to SYNC
in-car infotainment systems, U.S. drivers have found new ways to
distract themselves while driving thanks to technology (not to
mention other favorites such as applying makeup, eating, reading the
newspaper, etc.). Texting while driving is the latest craze to infect
drivers and states around the country are swiftly implementing laws
to make such activities illegal. Texting is already banned in 19
states, and 23 states are currently prepping their own laws to tackle
the problem.

"Legislators are looking to see if
it (texting) is enough of a safety issue that they need to
intervene," said Anne Teigen told
the USA Today. Teigen is a transportation specialist for
the National Conference of State Legislatures. "They often get
involved because there's a high-profile accident that had to do with
texting. Also, because everybody has a cellphone now."

While states are currently going it
alone in drafting "no texting while driving" laws, there
are a few nationwide texting bans that drivers should heed. President
Obama issued
an executive order at the close of 2009 banning all federal
workers -- rather, those on the job -- from texting while driving.
The ban affects roughly four million federal workers.

Now a new, federal ban is coming down
from the U.S. government. The latest nationwide texting ban applies
to drivers of big rigs and buses. "We want the drivers of
big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be
safe," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This is
an important safety step and we will be taking more to eliminate the
threat of distracted driving."

Drivers that choose not to abide by the
new law face a fine of $2,750.

The bans from both the states and the
U.S. government come on the heels of numerous studies which point out
the dangerous consequences of texting and driving. A study by the
University of Utah showed that drivers that text behind the wheels
are six times more likely to be involved in a collision. The National
Security Council notes that roughly 200,000 accidents are caused each
drivers who text behind the wheel.

However, it's wishful thinking to
believe that nationwide texting bans are going to stop people from
partaking in America's favorite electronic pastime. Reuters
has previously reported that teens aren't
persuaded to stop their texting addictions just because there are
laws on the books to prohibit the act.

"What I would say is that texting
and cell phone devices have become such a component of life for teens
and for young people that it's hard for them to differentiate between
doing something normal and doing something wrong," remarked
Steven Bloch, a senior research associate for the Automobile Club.

Considering that texting while driving
isn't a habit that only affect teenagers, it's more than likely that
drivers in a more "advanced state of age" are reluctant to
stop the practice as well.

While the current nationwide texting
bans affect a relatively small portion of the entire U.S. driver
pool, Senator Chuck Schumer (Democrat, NY) is looking to change that.
Senator Schumer has introduced legislation that would call for a
federal ban on texting while driving. States that don't comply with
the legislation would be see a 25 percent cut in the federal highway
funds they receive.

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quote: If you CAUSE an accident, I'm all for you being fined out the ass. But it should not costs you thousands of dollars for simply being fined for texting while driving. That is excessive in any rational sense of the word.

The same should be and can be said for DUI, the simple fact that you are arguing against this law but defending the DUI laws makes your argument even less sound.

You expect the Drunk driver making the decision to drive while under the influence to pay a higher price, then the person who is clear headed and flagrantly disregards the safety of everyone else to text??

As I have said before, we already have laws in place to deal with this we do not need anymore of these type of laws to legislate stupidity.

All they do is embolden the State and allow them to take more of our freedoms away as well as increase their coffers with needless fines.

quote: The same should be and can be said for DUI, the simple fact that you are arguing against this law but defending the DUI laws makes your argument even less sound.

Where am I saying that ??

quote: You expect the Drunk driver making the decision to drive while under the influence to pay a higher price, then the person who is clear headed and flagrantly disregards the safety of everyone else to text??

Drunk driving is illegal and has been for years. Not to mention it's stupid and is the cause of thousands of deaths a year.

Texting while driving has only started being fined by some states before this "federal ban". Which is completely unconstitutional, as you have pointed out yourself.

Comparing the two is stupid. One person is under the effects of a drug, their brains are unable to function properly. Every minute they are behind the wheel, they are a public menace to safety. Is a texter 100% impaired every minute they are behind the wheel ?

Again, I'm not defending those who do it. But the fact that people who drink and drive are less persecuted by the law than those who text is absurd.

quote: As I have said before, we already have laws in place to deal with this we do not need anymore of these type of laws to legislate stupidity.

Ummm I believe my position clearly states I have the same opinion. So why are you arguing with me ?